I couldn't help but marvel at the sight of what was present before me, no pun intended. Two large, towering and gilded doors were swung upon, revealing an exquisitely crafted banquet hall that you would find in an old Viking movie. I had thought witnessing the golden city was enough as it was with Thor earlier, but I'm severely underestimating the craftsmanship that was put into place here.
"Here we are, Lord Alex.", Astrid said, and did a graceful bow as she rested beside the entrance to the grand banquet hall.
"Lord?", I asked, and rubbed the back of my neck out of embarrassment. "I am not one for Titles. Besides, I am a Human. Isn't that out of place?"
"It may be from your eyes, but I am afraid palace etiquette leaves us little choice in the matter. As we have said earlier, we do apologize if we made you feel uncomfortable.", Sigrun replied with an apologetic smile. "You are now in the presence of the Allfather. it is only right you be addressed as such. With you being the guest of honor, you hold the same rank as Sir Loki and Sir Thor."
"It is as Sigrun says.", Astrid said, also nodding along. "A lot of pressure is riding on your shoulders. We have not had a single opportunity to entertain a Human from Midgard in ages. Please enjoy the meal prepared for you by the Allfather, Lord Alex."
A small sigh escaped from my lips, giving up on the idea of arguing about being called "Lord" at this point. Asgardian culture is not the same culture back on Planet Earth. I can only go with the flow. My primary goal until I can head back to Azure Point without waiting on someone is to simply not die. Sounds easy, right?
Taking a look at Astrid's and Sigrun's tags above their heads caused me to pause again, making me go silent. I really shouldn't be here. Oi!
[Astrid - Einherjar Warrior - Lv250]
[Sigrun - Einherjar Warrior - Lv250]
Even the service maids who serve Frigga are Level 250. D*mn it!
I could cheese my through and dip out right here and now, but that would be equivalent to slapping Odin in the face, and while this might not be one of those eastern stories, do you realize what would happen to me if that did end up happening? A guest of honor who doesn't show up to receive said honor? Odin could easily get enraged by this, and not only tear me to shreds in an instant, he could very well destroy Planet Earth, and I don't want that!
Instead, I walked through the entrance, letting my eyes rest on the enormous hall. The room stretched farther than what I had thought. Rows and rows of long banquet tables were neatly aligned against one another. Every table had pristine glassware and polished silverware. Hell, are those golden goblets!? I felt a warm feeling come downward from up above, only to finish the look with a chandelier. And it wasn't just one. There were multiple. MULTIPLE.
"..."
Can I take a rain check, pretty please?
Keeping that thought to myself, I saw several people happily chatting away with one another. More Asgardians. It was then Astrid spoke loudly enough, allowing her voice to be heard throughout the entire hall. All the way in the back stood Odin in a long chair, reminiscent of that of a throne.
"We have brought Lord Alex as requested, Allfather.", Astrid declared.
All of a sudden, a bunch of eyes fell upon the three of us, making me even more stiff. But I knew I couldn't back down. I say that, but I saw several name tags which was enough to make my back get drenched in sweat. That actually didn't happen, I'm just right to paint a picture here.
[Einherjar Warrior - Lv250]
[Einherjar Warrior - Lv250]
[Einherjar Warrior - Lv300]
[Einherjar Warrior - Lv350]
[Valkyrie Warrior - Lv400]
[Valkyrie Warrior - Lv400]
[Valkyrie Warrior - Lv450]
.
.
.
It didn't take long before I felt an overwhelming pressure bear down upon my entire body. It was unlike anything I had experienced back inside the two Instance Dungeons I had routed thus far. Even the Undead King paled in comparison to what I was now feeling. The air itself suddenly became heavier. It was enough to make me drop to one of my knees, but I refused to yield. I kept my back straight, and fixated my gaze, keeping it forward.
[Ding! You have successfully endured an intense amount of pressure.]
[Ding! Through a special Action, a new Field Skill has been generated.]
[Ding! Field Skill, Physical Endurance - Lv1 (0.0%) has been added to your Skills!]
Would you look at that? I was wondering when that was going to show up. Physical Endurance appeared quite early on in The Gamer, so it was only a matter of time until I got it. I didn't receive a physical beating though, just feeling this intense pressure was enough to trigger that? I can only assume so. But knowing that I got another Skill out of this made me smile. This Skill should come quite handy. It will lessen the damage I receive from physical attacks, and Thor loves doing those.
If I happen to battle Thor in the Asgard Arena later after this, it will be a good source of experience to let that Skill increase rapidly. Not saying that will happen, though. Just stating it is one route I could take. I didn't need to review its details either, I know what it does. Instead my head turned toward a certain area of the banquet hall. It was a bellowing laugh, coming from a large-statured man whose facial hair was quite extreme.
"HAHAHA!"
A laugh that belonged to an enormous man seated further inside the hall bellowed. Even sitting down, he looked absolutely massive. The man had broad shoulders that nearly matched the width of the ornate chair he was seated at. A thick auburn beard framed his smiling face while a colossal, double-bladed axe rested comfortably against his back. It was as if it weighed nothing to him. In one of the man's hands was a mug nearly the size of a small bucket, filled to the brim with what I could only assume was the finest Asgardian Ale that Thor often sang praises of when he time-travelled into the past to receive the Reality Stone.
With a final swing and a gulp, the man emptied the mug, slamming it onto the banquet table with enough force to make the dishes rattle. Asgardians loved doing that, didn't they? People freaked out in the diner Thor was brought to when he first descended into Midgard in ages, wondering why he smashed one of their glasses onto the ground. Different cultures are at play here. No matter what plate of food was brought into view, everything smelled quite good. It really is as if I'm in one of those Viking movies!
After the man bellowed and finished his current drink, he spoke, calling out to me. Was he the one with the piercing gaze that triggered Physical Endurance?
"So you're the Human from Midgard who summoned the Bifrost, eh?", The man said. "I'll admit, you're a fair bit scrawnier than I imagined. Still...", The man continued, softening his voice ever so slightly as he folded his arms across his chest. "The Allfather himself has welcomed you beneath his roof, and Thor has spoken well of you. That is more than enough for me."
The man then threw one arm wide, doing a gesture toward the long banquet table where several familiar faces were already seated. Some that I knew, anyway. There were many more Asgardians who turned quiet, waiting for me to make a move. Likely soldiers personally assigned to Odin.
"Come! Come!", The man urged. "No friend of Thor's should be standing all by his lonesome. Join us. There is enough food to feed a hundred men. And ale enough to satisfy a thousand!"
Hearing that, I couldn't help but reveal a smile over my face. Turning to my side, Astrid and Sigrun remained standing, and silent. All they did was do an assuring nod at me without having to say a single word.
"Haha, well it is not like I can refuse the Allfather. Thank you.", I said, and approached the left-most table where Thor and likely, his closest friends are presently seated. I remember these guys in the earlier movies surrounding Thor. They're Thor's closest friends. The Warriors Three, if I recall correctly?
"So glad you can make it, friend!", Thor said, who was at the head of this particular table, said as he looked my way with a big smile on his face. "Father has prepared this fine meal for you, so eat and drink till you can't eat and drink any more!"
"Ahem.", An imposing voice said, immediately quelling Thor's exclamation just now. It was a simple gesture, but a powerful one. After I had taken my seat next to these guys with Loki also with us, observing me with a weird look in his eyes, we all turned toward the main table where Odin sat with all of his warriors present. "You have done well to make it here, Lord Alex. Have you gotten situated in your assigned quarters?"
"I have. Thank you for showing me this grace, Allfather. It will take some time before I fully adapt to the lifestyle here in Asgard.", I said, keeping my tone polite.
"That time is time we have to spare. For now, please enjoy tonight's banquet. It will become very busy for you beginning tomorrow.", Odin said. "To which, I have an announcement for all who have gathered here.", Odin continued, only to raise his golden goblet into the air. "My wife, Frigga, has accepted this Human to become her direct disciple. He will learn Asgardian Magic and the way we fight. It will be up to you if you decide to join the Einherjar to fight on the frontlines. Even if you are from Midgard, we welcome all. That is all."
The moment Odin made the announcement, the entire banquet hall erupted. Many Asgardians became shocked. It looks like after Frigga left, she told Odin. I'm not surprised.
"W-WHAT!?", Loki exclaimed, becoming shocked to his core. Even he wasn't expecting such a thing to be said from Odin, eh?
"Mother truly has accepted you?", Thor asked, becoming intrigued.
"Lady Frigga has. I will not let this chance go to waste.", I said, and nodded in agreement. Frigga currently sat next to Odin, and she remained silent. All she did was smile, not denying what Odin said.
"I refuse to let Mother teach a Human! I do not care, even if it is an order from Father!", Loki exclaimed, feeling disgusted. The racial discrimination is strong with Loki right now, isn't it? Well, I'm not that bothered by it. He's under heavy influence by his fellow Frost Giants. While the Frost Giants may have a thousand years of peace with Odin right now, that's only on the surface.
No doubt Jotunheim has skirmishes with Asgard. A lot of that is probably shown off-camera, and it is a prime area to farm a bunch of real life battle experience, along with other Realms like Svartalfheim, the home of the Dark Elves. Frigga told me to be extremely careful of them, likely due to their deceitful nature. At the same time, I can't help but feel anticipation of what is to come.
Whether it be returning to Planet Earth to chill, or venturing out into the Nine Realms, the world is my oyster. Or in this case the Nine Realms are my oysters? Is that how that expression works? Haha!
Despite Loki's blatant objection, I saw Frigga remain calm, looking directly at her adopted son. That's right, while Thor might be Frigga's real son, Loki is adopted. A part of a long-winded ploy between the Frost Giants and Odin himself.
"You are in the presence of the Allfather, Loki. Any more outbursts and I will lock you away in our prison. Odin's words are final, and if he approves of my new apprentice, then Lord Alex here is my new apprentice. If you are feeling unwell, you can return to your own quarters while we enjoy this banquet.", Frigga calmly said, taking a hold of her own golden goblet.
Seeing Frigga not back down, all Loki could do was slump in his chair, and direct his hatred my way. Guess I'm not learning Asgardian Magic under him now, am I? I don't mind that, as I have that opportunity with Frigga. Is this a result of the Branch Quest?
"Yes, Mother...", Loki uttered, and started keeping to himself.
"Don't heed Loki any attention, my friend. We are here to cheer for you, so cheer we shall.", Thor said, and raised his own golden goblet up into the air. "Hear hear!"
""Hear Hear!"", All the Asgardians exclaimed in unison. Some were still weary, but didn't deny what the Allfather said. All Odin did was look at me with a smile, before we guzzled down some Asgardian Ale down our throats. It tasted divine. I tasted no bitterness from it at all.
The banquet went off without a hitch!